My first Stang was an 83 GT with t-tops. It was one of the best cars of its time. For me it was the first of 10 that I owned. 5 were Fox bodies. Every generation has its fans but you have to remember that styling has to evolve to keep the car in production. Would I go buy a 76 Mustang II? Probably not but I remember likingthem when I was15. I also liked the silver 72 Mach I in my neighborhood. Weshould be thankful that Ford figured out how to keep the styling fresh so our pony can stay in production. I own a Fusion and a Taurus as well and if there is a family resemblance, so be it. The first Stang was based on the Falcon, the second on the Pinto and the Fox cars were based on the Fairmont. That S197 exists at all on a unique platform is nothing short of amazing in this age of bean counting.

 

Very nicely said! :-)

 

Generally speaking, I think I could live with something like this, assuming it doesn't get so swoopy/curvy that it loses the bold muscle feel.
I remember early on in these discussions someone mentioned the Audi A5 as a possible influence on the next gen's design, and I can it in this hypothetical...

 

It really doesn't matter as long as it performs. I think the Fox proved that. The notch is still one of the most sought after fox bodies and it doesn't get much plainer that that little milk carton. I want powertrain and drivetrain specs. Everything else can be improved upon by the owners. Nuff said.

 

Me likey! I really like the rear Aston treatment. I hope this follows through to the real deal. More than anything though, this drawing best portrays the quarter window I hope arrives in the flesh. I SO want an integrated quarter like the 70 Boss 429. Why Ford? Why can't you do this? Especially when the Scion FR-S has it?!!!

But for real, this is a great guess, and I think a winner if it looks close to this, so long as the proportions are in check.

 

Thanks. I did some tweaking after looking back at the spy shots. If you look closely at the spy shots It is guaranteed that the Quarter Window will be integrated more like all Mustangs from 69-04. There will be a pillar hidden behind the glass like most modern coupes but the lines will flow together instead of being separated from the window form like it has been for the last 8 years.

 

I'm really hoping that pillar disappears into the door and all 4 windows roll down. It's just a small change but would be a very nice touch.

 

That should have happened a loooooooong time ago.

 

That won't happen for two reasons. Structural Rigidity and Weight. For performance reasons Ford will keep the B Pillar as it adds stiffness to the chsssis. To engineer a pillarless hard top coupe requires extra strengthening to the structure, which also adds cost, which is why you only see pillarless hard top coupes from companies like Mercedes and Bentley today. .

 

Your trailing edge on the rear window is off though. More angled.

 

If they are going to engineer a convertible they already have to do the work. Do the same structural engineering for both and just throw a fixed hard top on one, and a folding soft top on the other. Spreading the cost of that engineering across the whole line lessens the financial impact.

 

True..........but the added bracing obviously adds weight. Would it be worth it? For me, yes, but for many it seems S550 being any heavier than S197 is a deal breaker.

 

True..........but the added bracing obviously adds weight. Would it be worth it? For me, yes, but for many it seems S550 being any heavier than S197 is a deal breaker.

Sure, it's a concept, but how good does this look?

 

Oh Trust Me, I Love Pillar-less Hard top Coupes more than Anyone. I think they are Beautiful Cars, but I also understand the Weight and Engineering Constraints placed on today's Modern Cars. Here's just a few of My Favorite Hard top Coupes.

 

It really wouldn't be that difficult to do. Reinforced windshield pillars like in the verts and little bit in the rear pillars just to keep the roof from buckling. Not a hell of a lot of weight and so much better styling. But I'm not expecting greatness from the newest rendition anyways.

 

I guess I'm the only one who feels like having the door end in the middle of the side opening is stylistically awkward. I like the idea of the quarter glass covering the b-pillar for a smooth transition, but having nothing there looks weak. Certainly it can be engineered, but the Mustang doesn't benefit from it.

Aston martin does it well, pillar present, but not intrusive to the side glass transition.

 

No B pillar means thicker A pillars and yet more blocked visibility when you look to hit the apex of the turn.

 

Sn95s have hidden b-pillars

 

LOOK MA! No B-Pillar ( But there is a rather substantial frame stiffener under that car. )

 

Thats because its a vert... most don't have a B-Pillar...actually i can't think of any that do. That is also why they weigh more.